News

Ripping Off the Band-Aid

—Autumn A. Arnett5/16/2014

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The
Air Force is focused on retaining a diverse and highly qualified force even as
it prepares for “almost the largest [force] reduction in a single time period
in the history of the Air Force,” said Lt.
Gen. Samuel Cox during an AFA-sponsored, Air Force breakfast event in
Arlington, Va., Thursday. “We’re going to do this thing quick, so that we don’t
have to drag it out over the next five years,” he said. In order to meet the
magic number of 310,900 airmen by Fiscal 2015, Cox said the Air Force will use
existing force management programs, coupled with a four percent cut to
accessions in 2014 and a 14 percent cut in 2015, as well as normal retirements
and separations. He reiterated earlier announcements by Air Force Secretary
Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, saying airmen will receive
at least six months notice before any involuntary separation. Cox said voluntary
separation will be the first preference, although involuntary
separation will be used when necessary.